Brits have been warned to brace themselves for an alarming upsurge in potentially lethal norovirus as the festive period approaches.
Rates of the vomiting bug, which can also cause diarrhoea, are almost double the levels seen pre-Covid for this time of year, fresh figures show.
Some 416 lab confirmed reports were logged in England over the previous fortnight. This is up from 216 for the same two weeks in 2019.
But cases are 'likely to rise again as we head towards Christmas', health chiefs predict.
Experts said a particularly rampant variant now accounts for almost 90 per cent of all cases and urged Brits not to rely to alcohol gels to try and help 'kill' the virus as they are not powerful enough.
According to figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the total number of reports this year (2,849) was also more than double that of five years ago (1,208).
Cases have dipped slightly in the past fortnight, but scientists warned the blip may simply be due to half-term and are likely to rise again.
Since the start of the 2024/2025 season, the number of norovirus outbreaks reported in hospital settings is also 10 per cent higher than the five-year average.
However, actual case numbers nationwide may be even higher.
This is because the figures are based on positive laboratory reports and NHS hospitals reporting suspected and confirmed norovirus outbreaks.
Most of those infected suffer nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting and recover at home.
But norovirus can pile pressures on hospitals because infected patients need to be isolated in single rooms or wards need to be closed to new patients to contain the spread.
Amy Douglas, epidemiologist at UKHSA said: 'The half-term school break is likely to have interrupted the upward trend we've been seeing recently in norovirus levels, but cases are likely to rise again as we head towards Christmas.
'If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don't prepare food for others in that time either.
'If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.
'Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading.
'Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don't rely on these alone.'
The UKHSA noted that the surge in cases had been largely driven by variant known as GII.17, which accounts for 87 per cent of cases.
It does not trigger more severe symptoms than previous outbreaks, but it is thought to be far more infectious.
In response to a Mail on Sunday column by GP Dr Ellie Cannon earlier this month, readers wrote in detailing how they had been affected by it.
A 69-year-old women described suffering 'the most aggressive diarrhoea and sickness' after babysitting her granddaughter. Another talked about her 29-year-old son 'being completely flattened' by the virus.
Paul Pardon, 73, says he came down with the 'unbearable' virus after returning from holiday.
'It came out of nowhere,' says the former IT consultant from Reading. 'I couldn't move more than few yards from the toilet before having to run back again.
'This went on for days. During that time I couldn't eat all. I also had a terrible fever and was constantly shaking.'
The majority of people will not need to speak to a doctor about a norovirus infection.
In most cases, it will clear up on its own.
Rest and having lots of fluid are often recommended by health chiefs to help recover. Paracetamol may also aid a fever or aches and pains.
Rehydration drinks, such as Dioralyte, which replace crucial salts as well as water, can be bought from a pharmacist.
Parents are advised to avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children with norovirus, as this can make the diarrhoea worse.
Many patients also ask doctors for antibiotics, but these are ineffective against viruses.
Patients with particularly severe projectile vomiting and diarrhoea can, however, get anti-sickness medicines from a GP.
